A SINGER songwriter who was homeless for four years and lived in the town's bandstand has turned his life around and will be releasing his debut album.

After years of living rough, rejections, and set backs, Mitch Loveridge, is now finally ready to release his music into the world.

Mitch, who has social anxiety, said: "I was homeless on the streets of Redditch for a long time, I lived in the bandstand in town for six months and slept rough/sofa hopped for a total of four years.

"During all this, other things kept piling on top of me and it caused me over the years to suffer from mental health issues, such as stress reactions and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"But above all of that, music and singing got me through it, plus the help of my large support network of friends I’ve met along the way."

He added: "I took a big step when I met the mother of my son, and spent four years raising a family whilst honing my vocals."

In secret Mitch, who performs Ed Sheeran covers as well as his own material, trained for Xfactor and in 2017 attempted the audition process.

He said: "I had a very positive response but realised that the television show route wasn’t for me. After so many years of trying off my own back, I’d feel more appreciative of my accomplishments doing it my way.

"Two days after my audition my best friend Ben George made a track for me as I was going through a rough time during a relationship breakdown. I’d put pen to paper and came up with my first ever release Where Did The Love Go.

"It became very popular very quickly, as it related to so many. We wrote more and more as mad week after mad week came about.

"It was my dream but all very surreal, I finally became a singer, above all else, that’s what I did for a living. I also began gigging every week and have been doing so ever since."

Mitch is now set to release his debut album, 12 Years In The Making, on August 12.

For more information on the release and upcoming shows to support the album, go to mitchloveridge.co.uk or search for Mitch Loveridge on Facebook.